Success Story: Zion Ellis

May 9, 2019

This Way Ahead Intern

Zion Ellis always wanted to
work in retail, so when his high school guidance counselor told him about the
This Way Ahead program, he knew it would be a great way to spend the summer
before his senior year of high school. This Way Ahead is a paid internship
program designed to provide young adults with an opportunity to gain skills and
confidence in a competitive work environment. Made possible by the generous
support of the Gap Foundation, the 10-week internship program provides youth
with the training needed to enter the retail industry. Goodwill of North
Georgia proudly partners with GAP, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta to
provide free training, ultimately leading to a workforce that is top notch. Participants
in the program are equipped with skills including sales support, shipment
information, merchandise replenishment and store visuals.

Ellis applied immediately after
learning about the program and was very happy to be selected for an internship.
The opportunity was made even better because he was assigned to Banana Republic
– the store he was hoping for! As Zion’s first job, he acquired skills beyond
the retail environment. At the conclusion of the internship, he was offered a
permanent position at Banana Republic. Even though his schedule was full of
school activities, from marching band to golf, he was able to continue working
at the store. Working hard and saving the money he earned, Ellis purchased his
own car.

As high school ended, Zion
accepted a band scholarship at Clark Atlanta University. This strategic
decision would allow him to live at home and continue working at Banana
Republic. Although he’s majoring in accounting, Zion enjoys fashion and hopes
to find a way to continue working in the field after college.

Since completing the internship, Zion
has been a great ambassador for the program and for Goodwill. To date, he has
recruited five friends and he serves as a mentor for the interns placed at his
store. His advice to prospective interns applies to us all, “Don’t be afraid to
ask questions. There is always something you can learn.”

For the health and safety of our guests and employees, effective Friday, May 22, all Goodwill shoppers, donors and jobseekers will be required to wear a face covering or mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times while visiting our locations. Children under the age of 2 and those with medical conditions that preclude them from wearing a mask are exempt from this requirement.

We are temporarily operating on a modified schedule. All stores and attended donation centers are open from 10:00AM – 7:00 PM, seven days a week. Our South DeKalb and Decatur career centers will be open from 9:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday. All other career centers are open from 10:00AM – 5:00PM Monday through Friday.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. For more information on our coronavirus response and safety measures, please visit goodwillng.org/coronavirus-response or follow us on social media.

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